I'm not going to get into this further with you beyond this post. Historically when the USN and RN operated together it was not at all unknown for one carrier to carry the fighters and another to carry the bombers in order to ease logistics. There is even literature about how some of the later USN fighters were too large to allow such cross-decking because of the small sizes of the RN hangar decks. So, CVs with 100% fighter loadouts did happen in the war. Was it rare? Yes. But so were torpedo attacks with special assemblys attached to the torpedo to prevent it hitting the bottom of a shallow harbour. We don't ban torpedoes in PH attacks because of that.

Even if it never happened I wouldn't be too bothered as it was certainly possible and my arbiter of what is fair in-game is what was possible in real life, not what was necessarily done. It was possible, carries a risk and is counterable by the enemy ( whether they be Allies or Japanese ). You may not like it but saying it was impossible is ignorant of historical fact. Use google to do a search of the forum. Several posts here recently spoke about RN/USN cross-decking in mixed TFs. Again you might say that isn't "valid" somehow but it shows it happened and the difference is only a matter of degree.

Again though, as usual, you mistake something you don't like for something which shouldn't be allowed and never happened. Let us be clear, I believe things which historically happened are perfectly valid irrespective of your opinion... especially when you have a history of foregoing facts for hyperbole and complaint.

Invernomuto, Aye, it was done in real life so I see no problem with doing it in-game.

Complaining that doing it with a lot of fighters is "gamey" is ridiculous because if that's the yardstick we will use for gamey then none of us should be allowed to fly any missions in greater strength than the Allies or Japanese achieved on the same date in the war. If I want that level of orthodoxy I'll go watch a documentary.

I often wonder if people realize what they write! First you say 6 CV with fighters only (of 6 CV in a TF). Then you talk about one or some carriers in a TF with fighters only (the example I´ve brought up). This is a completely different thing than a WHOLE TF loaded up with fighters only. And noone can show me a real life example of a carrier TF like KB being sent out with only fighters aboard because it never happened and would have never happened. You could have also sent out a tank division with only MG ammo for the tanks because this would be "possible" also. And if I would say no general on Earth would have ever done it I would probably hear, it would be possible, why not doing it in the game... No carrier task force of such a size ever left port with fighters only aboard to go onto a combat mission (and don´t come up with a transfer mission to Malta now ).

I don´t even talk about your history because it always makes me shaking my head when I hear these fantasy comments masked in lots of your psycho blah blah, sorry.

It has been a good long while since I updated this AAR. Work pressures and in-game demoralization have delayed this game, but I still owe it to my opponent to press on, even though the allied juggernaut is becoming unstoppable.

Truk had to be abandoned. The service damage is at 100 and planes were not being repaired. The runway is less the 50% damaged, but the service damage won't come down until the runway is completely repaired and the allies have made sure the runway stays damaged. We will see if they go for an invasion. Perhaps they are just neutralizing it so they can go around it? Maybe invade northern New Guinea as a way to isolate the Solomons?

T-bolts and Spit VIIIs have been sweeping my bases around Raheng in Thailand. My Tojo IIc's were getting slaughtered. The IJA has run out of trained fighter pilots, and my supply of armored fighters has not kept up with casualties. Frank production is at 200 a month and climbing, but not climbing fast enough. I can't really push it any more because I am concerned about running down supplies in the Home Islands which are needed for the troops as well as factory expansion/conversion. This turn I did get lucky and more T-bolts and Spits were shot down than my own planes. Not sure what happened there!

Recon indicates the allies are sending more tanks south from Moulmein towards Bangkok than the Germans had panzers at Kursk. And the Chinese are advancing on all fronts. Next month the allies get 3 new fleet carriers meaning they will be back to where they were when they invaded Ponape. Plus they will have more CVEs. They get about 5 CVEs a month starting in January.

My intuition and intelligence hints seem to point to a major allied operation directed into the eastern DEI. My carriers are based at Morotai ready to react to an invasion of either the DEI (can be in position in one turn) or of Truk/Marianas (can be in position in about 3 turns at most). The slow CV/L/Es (Junyo, Hiyo, Ryuho, and all CVEs) are based in the northern Marianas. I am expecting an invasion of Marcus and they are tasked with guarding against just such a threat. That leaves 13 CV and 5 CVL at Morotai. Numerous surface groups are also based around the northern Celebes and the Moluccas.

It is quite discouraging playing when your troops can't seem to accomplish anything. Watching my pilots futilely contest the skies over their own bases and accomplish nothing at all is disheartening. If only the allied navy would come out and play. At least my surface forces can no doubt dish out as much if not more than they take.

It is quite discouraging playing when your troops can't seem to accomplish anything. Watching my pilots futilely contest the skies over their own bases and accomplish nothing at all is disheartening. If only the allied navy would come out and play. At least my surface forces can no doubt dish out as much if not more than they take.

It's almost as if you need a 'divine wind' to come from the sky to smite the invaders.

Well, such is the lot of a Japanese player. Eventually Allies, under all but most incompetent players will grow too strong, to do more than delay them. At least you've managed to made them pay for Truk, and your opponent will need to keep the pressure constantly. It seems, you've made a mistake of not attriting Chinese numbers, and now Japanese situation in CBI is critical... I'd advise stripping non-essential island garrizons, like in Andamans, to at least hold Bangkok.

Also, how big is your pilot training program? I find it disconcerting that pilot attrition started to tell already.

Welcome back! You have been missed; I am delighted that you are back with us.

Yes - you face a tough situation. I must respectfully point out that - to my limited knowledge - most games end long before 1944. You are remarkable in hanging in there against difficult odds, an achievement that reflects well on your playing ability and commitment to honoring the game. Your opponent is very fortunate to have you in a pbem.

Keep us posted. Think out of the box (and I am sure you are doing that already). Make it costly for the Allies - as it was in real life up to the very end.